Focus on PoK, Balochistan at Kashmir meet

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 12

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an all-party meeting on the Kashmir unrest, said here today that the government was committed to “a peaceful solution” within the framework of the Constitution. 

The meeting, which was attended by leaders of all parties represented in Parliament, said “cross-border terrorism supported by Pakistan is the root cause of turbulence in the Valley”.

Edit: Regaining Kashmiris’ trust

Hitting out at Pakistan, Modi said, “Our neighbour forgets what it does with its people in Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Fighter planes are dropping bombs on them. The time has come when Pakistan has to answer to the world community about its atrocities against its own people in Balochistan and Kashmir.”  The PM asked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to contact citizens of occupied Kashmir, residing in different parts of the world, for gathering details on their pitiable condition so that these could be shared with the international community. "When discussing Jammu and Kashmir, we should keep in mind all its four regions -Jammu, Kashmir Valley, Ladakh and PoK,"  he stressed.

"We are committed to the national sentiment that there cannot be any compromise with the country's regional integrity. We are ready to address the grievances of all sections under the Indian Constitution."

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Appealing to the Opposition parties for support, the Prime Minister said, "Terrorism is on the rise the world over. We are facing terrorism sponsored by our neighbouring country. We will have to be united in our fight. The government expects constructive support from all Opposition parties." 

 Praising Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's government for its "careful handling" of the situation, he said he was confident that normalcy would be restored in the state with the cooperation of all parties. 

The Kashmir Valley has been in a turmoil ever since Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter on July 8. Some Opposition parties reportedly asked the government to initiate confidence-building measures (CBMs), such as putting an end to the use of pallet guns and relaxing AFSPA in certain parts of the Valley.

Addressing medipersons later, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “The Home Minister has already informed the two Houses of Parliament that an expert committee has been constituted to look into the issue of pellet guns.The government decision will be based on the assessment of security concerns.” 

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who accompanied Jaitley, said, "The Central Government is working on a Rs 80,000 crore special package for the troubled state. Results will be visible soon. We are determined to hasten the release of funds."

Sources said the government was not in favour of an all-party delegation visiting Kashmir at this juncture. It was of the opinion that the situation was not conducive for any such exercise.